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Comparisons of ultrasound‐estimated intramuscular fat with fitness and health indicators
Author(s) -
Young HuiJu,
Southern William M.,
Mccully Kevin K.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25105
Subject(s) - intramuscular fat , medicine , biceps , ultrasound , ultrasound imaging , obesity , anatomy , zoology , radiology , biology
We examined ultrasound‐estimated intramuscular fat of 4 muscles: rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial gastrocnemius (MG), and compared the results with other health measures. Methods Forty‐two participants were tested. Muscle echo intensity was quantified into percent intramuscular fat using previously published equations. Results Strong correlations were found in percent intramuscular fat in the 4 muscles ( r ≥ 0.8). Weak to moderate correlations were found between intramuscular fat and body mass index ( r ≥ 0.2), waist/hip ratio ( r ≥ 0.2), muscle thickness ( r = −0.5 in RF, r = −0.4 in TA, r = −0.7 in MG), and muscle strength (leg extension: r = 0.4; leg flexion: r = −0.5). A relationship between intramuscular fat in RF and MG and physical activity was also observed ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound‐estimated intramuscular fat was associated with other health measures and may provide physiological insight into the health consequences of obesity. Muscle Nerve 54 : 743–749, 2016